SAISD SPOTLIGHT: Franklin Elementary fifth grader Sophia Varela available to talk about her interview with civil rights icon Sylvia Mendez
 
As Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off, it’s important to note how Franklin Elementary student Sophia Varela had the opportunity of a lifetime at the start of the current school year. The fifth grader at the dual language campus was recently able to interview Sylvia Mendez, the civil rights legend whose court case helped end segregation of Mexican American students in California schools in 1946, paving the way for Brown v. Board of Education.
 
Varela was chosen for the honor when scholastic newswire service News-O-Matic reached out to San Antonio ISD to see if a dual language student might be interested in conducting the interview. Franklin Elementary principal Jennifer Adan said she knew just who – Sophia, the girl Adan calls a “superstar” who has been on campus since she was in Pre-K.

The interview took place the first week of school, and Varela, bilingual in English and Spanish, was up to the task. She was a little starstruck to speak with a Presidential Medal of Freedom Winner. “I thought wow. She’s really a hero,” Varela said. “Thanks to her, the Mexican people can be in this school or in other schools. Pueden ser libres. (They can be free.)” Sophia got to chat with Mendez about her life and work promoting education, and Mendez encouraged Sophia to follow her own dreams – dreams to become a doctor.

Calendar items? 
 
Sept 21 (Sat) – Irving Dual Language Academy Historical Market unveiling
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Irving Dual Language Academy, 1300 Delgado St., 78207
The City of San Antonio’s ‘History Here’ Local Markers Program prioritizes undertold and geographically diverse stories to public history. The Grant Elementary & Dunbar Junior High Historical Preservation group has nominated and received acceptance from the city to install a “History Here” marker dedicated to the two schools and their students, educators, and collaborators. The Grant-Dunbar Historical Marker Unveiling Ceremony will be held at Washington Irving Dual Language Academy, which at one time was the site of Grant Elementary & Dunbar Junior High. In May, the SAISD Board of Trustees approved the installation of a local marker on the academy's grounds.
 
Sept 21 (Sat) – Lanier High School Men of Honor Father Figure BBQ
12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Lanier High School, 1514 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd., 78207
The Lanier High School Men of Honor group is inviting male students and their father figures to a free BBQ event on campus. More than 200 BBQ plates will be prepared by the organization. The free BBQ get together is part of a continuing process started by the Lanier HS Men of Honor since it’s inception a couple of years ago where the students learn about and practice leadership and community service.
 
Sept 26 (Thurs) – Wilson Elementary Tour of Puerto Rico
2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Wilson Elementary, 1421 Clower St., 78201
As part of the campus’ Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, Wilson Elementary will take students on a “Tour of Puerto Rico”. Classes will get to learn about the Puerto Rican Rain Forest while they listen to music and taste some of the cuisine that comes from “La Isla Encantada”.

Sept 28 (Sat) – Gardopia Gardens Kickoff at Pershing Elementary
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pershing Elementary, 600 Sandmeyer St., 78208
Gardopia Gardens is excited to announce the launch of a new Jumpstart program in collaboration with its partner, national nonprofit Big Green. This grant will install gardens at 13 schools across SAISD and provide $2,000 in funding for five additional schools to enhance their existing gardening efforts.